MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – Police in Montgomery County, Texas, are asking dog owners to unchain their pets due to Hurricane Harvey. Moreover, they are threatening legal action against those who do not.

Carlisle told a story regarding a dog tied to a tree while checking high water levels in the county last year, reported the The Epoch Times.

“The dog barked and barked as the water kept rising until the water got high enough and the barks stopped,” reads the post.

Carlisle implored people to untie their pets. Any animal on a rope or chain could be in grave danger.

Furthermore, the post also warned it was illegal to leave a dog on a rope continuously.

“It is against the law to keep a dog on a chain during extreme weather conditions or between 10 p.m. – 6 a.m.,” said the post.

That law prohibits a dog owner from leaving their animal outside and unattended “by use of a restraint that unreasonably limits the dog’s movement” under several additional conditions, including close proximity to a school, during a heat advisory, or if a tornado warning has been issued.

Meanwhile, the SPCA of Texas is working with shelters across the Gulf Coast to evacuate 120 cats from The Cattery Cat Shelter in Corpus Christi, which has been one of the hardest hit areas.

The SPCA is on standby to help others who may struggle finding shelter for their pets as the storm arrives.

“We stand at the ready to take in 300 pets and will do all in our power to help pets and people affected by this dangerous storm and its aftermath. We send our thoughts to all in the region and hope everyone stays safe,” reads a post on the SPCA’s Facebook page.